Key bow device



Aug. 21, 1956 E. L. SCHLAGE KEY BOW DEVICE Filed July 19, 1954 FIE-J5INVENTOR. ER/V5.57 L. JU/AAGZ MMi'WM AT TORNEYS United States Patent KEYBOW DEVICE Ernest L. Schlage, Burlingame, Califl, assignor to SchlageLock Company, a corporation Application July 19, 1954, Serial No.444,047

2 Claims. (Cl. 40-2) This invention relates to devices for use inconnection with keys for door locks and is particularly concerned withthat portion of a key known as the bow.

This invention is related to devices. of the same character shown incopending applications Serial Nos. 303,881 and 369,270, filed August 12,1952 and July 21, 1953, respectively.

It is an object of this invention to provide a key bow device which iscapable of permitting variation in the shape and size of a key bowaccording to the needs or desires of the owner.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a key bow device whichserves to distinguish a key provided with such device by feel as well asby appearance.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a key bow devicewhich allows the owner to characterize an ordinary key as belonging tosuch owner and as being the proper key for a particular lock.

The further object of this invention is the provision of a key bowdevice which, when installed on a key of the usual kind, associates withthat key various distinguishing markings, advertising matter, or otherdesired information within the choice of the owner.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a key bowdevice of inexpensive construction and which avoids the need forindividualized dies and manufacturing operations.

It is another object of this invention to provide a key bow devicecapable of providing for the user greater ease of lock turning andopening.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a key bow devicewhich may be secured to a key bow in such a manner that it cannot bereadily removed by ordinary tampering, but which may be speedily removedand replaced by authorized persons.

Yet another object of this invention is the provision of a key bowdevice including a sheet adapted to carry certain identifying indiciaand which device facilitates turning the key in a lock withouttransmitting any turning effort to such sheet.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of the key bow device of thisinvention showing the various parts in spaced relation with a key;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the assembled device of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along line 3-4; of Fig.2;

Fig. 4 is a plan View of the device of Fig. 2 with the top frame,display plate and cover plate removed showing the key disposed with itsbow in the cavity of the matrix plate;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along line 55 of Fig.4; and

Fig. 6 is a partial cross sectional view similar to Fig. 3,

but showing a modified form of fastening element.

ice

In detail, referring to Fig. 1, the device of this invention is seen tocomprise a pair of identical matrix plates 1 which may be formed of anysuitable material in any desired shape. The main portion of such matrixplates is shown in trapezoidal form, each having a cavity 2 openinglaterally outwardly of opposite sides of matrix plates 1 and outwardlyof one edge 3 of said matrix plates. Such cavities have a contourgenerally complementary to the edge contour of a flat key bow 4 of aconventional key, generally designated 5, and are for the purpose ofreceiving such key bow therein with the key shank 6 extending outwardlyof edge 3 of said matrix plates. Cavities 2 are of such contour that theend edge 7 of key bow 4 remote from key shank 6 engages the inner sidewalls 8 of such cavity and the shoulders 9, 10 of key bow 4 that aredirected longitudinally of key shank 6 engage a pair of lips 11, 12,respectively, that are integral with each matrix plate 1 and define theportion of cavity 2 adjacent side edge 3 of such matrix plate.

Between lips 11, 12 and inner side walls 8 of cavities 2 opposed sidewalls 13, 14 are formed in conformity with the general contour of keybow 4, but are spaced slightly therefrom so that frictional engagementbetween the key bow and the side walls of the cavity exists only atthree spaced points corresponding to lips 11, 12 and the inner side wall8 of each cavity 2. By this structure, each cavity 2 may be economicallyformed and, in addition, a three-point support for the key is providedwhich eifectively secures the key in place and prevents twisting thereofrelative to the matrix plate.

The combined thickness of matrix plates 1 when superposed one on theother is substantially equal to the thickness of key bow 4. It isobvious that a single matrix plate could be substituted for the pairshown; but it has been found that a pair of matrix plates, eachsubstantially one-half the thickness of the key bow, are more easily andreadily stamped to greater accuracy.

Protruding from edge 16, opposite edge 3, of each matrix plate 1 andcoplanar therewith is an ear 17 having an aperture 18 for receiving akey ring or the like therethrough. Said ears and apertures are inregistration when said matrix plates are superposed as before described.

As best seen in Fig. 4, the extent of matrix plates 1 is considerablygreater than that of key bow 4 and cavity 2 so as to form a substantialplanar margin 19 around said cavity. The shape shown for plates 1 is notcritical as long as margin 19 is provided.

A pair of identical cover plates 21, 22 are adapted to overlie matrixplates 1 including cavities 2 but excepting ears 17. The shape and sizeof said cover plates are similar to the main portion of matrix plates 1,except that the dimension between edges 3 and 16 of said matrix platesis slightly less than the dimension between corresponding edges 23 and24 of cover plates 21, 22, for a purpose to be described. To facilitatemanufacture of this device said cover plates may be of the samethickness as matrix plates 1, but such is not required.

Cover plates 21, 22 and marginal portion 19 of matrix plates 1 are eachprovided with a pair of registering holes 25, 26 (those in the coverplates being countersunk) which are spaced apart on opposite sides ofcavities 2. A third countersunk hole 27 is provided in each of saidcover plates registering with the usual hole 28 in the upper end of keyhow 4. Male and female, flat-headed screws 29, 30, respectively, areadapted to be inserted through holes 25, 26, 27 and 28 to rigidly securecover plates 21, 22 and matrix plates 1 in superposed position over keybow 4 as shown in Fig. 3. It is to be understood that holes 27 and thescrews therethrough are not absolutely necessary but serve the purposeof assuring seeurement of key bow 4 in place.

Furthermore, it is pertinent to note at this point that substantiallygreater leverage is provided by the extendedarea plates ll, 21, 22 forturning the key in a lock. If the matrix and cover plates were ofsubstantially the same extent as key bow 4, such additional leveragewould not be obtained.

When the cover plates and matrix plates are secured together as abovedescribed, display plates 32, 33, which are substantially coextensive inarea with cover plates 21, 22, may be positioned over said cover plates,respectively. These display plates may be of paper or cardboard or anyother inexpensive material. Display plate 33 may carry indicia 34(Fig. 1) indicating, for example, the name and address of the hotel orother hostelry to which the key belongs and display plate 32 may carryindicia 31 indicating a room number or other desired notation (Fig. 2).

Over each display plate 3-2, 36 there is preferably provided a thinsheet 35 of transparent plastic or the like through which indicia 31, 34may be viewed. Sheets 35 also serve to protect display plates 32, 33against soiling and marring.

For the purpose of holding display plates 32, 33 and transparent sheets35 in superposed relation relative to cover plates 21, 22, a pair offrames generally designated 36, 37 are provided on opposite sides ofsaid cover plates. These frames, which may be sheet metal stampings, areidentical and the same reference numerals will be applied to like partsof each.

Each frame 36, 37 comprises a planar, main portion 38 having arelatively large central opening 39 through which the adjacent displayplate may be viewed. Extending outwardly of one side of each said frameis an integral ear 40 adapted to overlie ears 17 and having aperture 41therethrough registering with apertures 18.

At right angles to main portion 38 is a peripheral flange 42 whichgenerally conforms to the outer periphery of matrix plates 1 includingcars 17. Each flange 42 is provided with a rectangular notch 43 adjacentedges 3 of matrix plates 1 and equal in depth to about one-half thethickness of key 5 so that the juncture between the key bow and keyshank is received within opposedly opening notches 43 when frames 36, 37are secured to opposite sides of cover plates 21, 22.

Adjacent opposite ends of notches 43 flanges 42 are each provided with apair of projections 44, 45 which are directed inwardly of frames 36, 37.It will be seen from Figs. 4, 5 that, because of the difference indimensions between edges 23, 24 of cover plates 21, 22 and between edges3, 16 of matrix plates 1, when said plates are assembled as described apair of recesses 46 are provided between edges 23 and along edges 3, oneon either side of key 5 for receiving projections 44, 45 therein.

The distance between the portion of flange 42 adjacent edge 16 of matrixplate 1 and projections 44-, 45 is substantially equal to the dimensionbetween edges 23, 24 of cover plates .21, 22 so that said cover plateswill have just sufficient clearance to slip between and be embraced byflanges 42 (Figs. 3, 4). The distance between the portion of flange 42adjacent the outer end of car 17 and the portion of said flange adjacentsaid projection is substantially equal to the distance between the outerend of ear 17 and edges 23 of cover plates 21, 22 when said cover platesand matrix plates l are assembled as described. Hence, in inserting theassembled plates and key into one of frames 36, 37 it is first necessaryto insert edge 23 of the proper cover plate behind projections 44, 45,pulling the key downwardly (Fig. 4) so as to insert projections 44, 45into recesses 46. Edges 16, 24 of matrix plates 1 and cover plates 21,22, respectively, ar then seen to be spaced from the upper side offlange 42 and the outer end of ear 17 is aligned with adjacent flange 42of frame 36 and may be pressed into such frame.

This constnuction then, prevents withdrawal of the cover plates, matrixplates, and key, from one of frames 36, 37 as long as the outer end ofear 17 is in engagement with its associated portion of flange 42.

When the various parts, including both frames 36, 37 are assembled asabove described, a fastening element such as grommet 49 (Figs. 2, 3) maybe passed through the registering openings 13, 4E. and swaged over toform radially outwardly extending lips 50, 51 engaging the ears 4-0 offrames 36, 37 thus securing all of the parts together. It will beunderstood that the inner connection between frames 36, 37 by theprojections 44, 45 and recesses 46 prevents movement of said framesoutwardly away from the matrix and cover plates from side edges 3, 23,respectively, and disassembly of the device is impossible withoutremoving grommet 49. This structure makes the device completelytamperproof although disassembly is readily effected when the grommet 49is removed with suitable equipment by authorized persons.

In lieu of grommet 49, cars 17, 4% may be secured together by the use ofa pair of hollow, male and female threaded ferrules 52, 53 (Fig 6). Theoutward appearance of the particular structure of Fig. 6 is exactly thesame as that of Figs. 2, 3, and if a reasonably tight fit is effectedbetween ferrules 52, 53, there is little chance of the ferrulesaccidentally backing off and little likelihood of them being removed bytampering without the use of appropriate tools.

The assembled key and key bow device provides a very neat article whichis convenient for carrying and easy to handle. The central aperturethrough grommet 49 or ferrules 52, 53 may be large enough to accommodatean ordinary key ring or key hook. it is also pertinent to note that therelatively large extent of the key bow device in comparison with the keybow itself increases the torque which may be applied by the user whenthe key is inserted in a lock. In addition, it is apparent that theresisting torque cannot be transferred to the relatively light displayplates 32, 33, transparent sheets 35, and frames 36, 37 because suchtorque is completely resisted by the matrix plates 1 and cover plates21, 22 which are secured together by screws 29, 30.

As previously mentioned, it is obvious that matrix plates 1 could beformed of a single sheet of twice the thickness of that shown.Alternatively, each matrix plate and its associated cover plate could beformed of a single sheet with cavity 2 formed therein to one-half thedepth of key bow 4. This construction, although the easier to assembleas requiring only two parts to be secured together on key bow 4, is moreexpensive to manufacture. It is also obvious that a single matrix plateincluding one cover plate may be integrally formed with cavity 2extending to a depth substantially equal to the thickness of the key bow4 and with a single, planar cover plate extending across the open sideof such cavity.

Although the preferred form of the invention has been described andillustrated in detail, this is not to be taken as restrictive as it isobvious that modifications could be made therein without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A key bow device comprising a matrix plate formed with a cavityopening laterally outwardly of the opposite sides thereof and openingoutwardly of one edge thereof, said cavity having a contour generallycomplementary to the edge contour of a flat key bow for receiving suchkey bow therein with the key shank extending outwardly of said one edge,the area of said matrix plate being substantially greater than the areaof such key bow to provide a margin outwardly of the periphery of saidcavity except adjacent said one edge the thickness of said matrix platebeing substantially equal to the thickness of such key bow, an earformed on an opposite edge of said matrix plate from said one edge andhaving an aperture therethrough for receiving a key ring or the like,

a pair of identical cover plates each overlying opposite sides of saidmatrix plate including said cavity but excepting said ear, said coverplates extending outwardly from said one edge of said matrix plate toform a recess therebetween, means for securing said cover plates andsaid matrix plate together at said margin, a pair of identical,centrally-open frames each overlying opposite sides of said cover platesand said ears and adapted to secure a pair of display plates betweensaid frames and said opposite sides of said cover plates, said framesbeing provided with peripheral flanges extending toward each other alongthe side edges of said matrix plates, integral projections on saidflanges respectively extending into said recess, and releasable meansfor securing said frames together adjacent said ears whereby parting ofsaid frames from said cover plates is permitted only when saidlast-mentioned means is released.

2. A key bow device comprising a pair of identical, superposed matrixplates each formed with a cavity opening laterally outwardly of theopposite sides thereof and opening outwardly of one edge thereof, eachsaid cavity having a contour generally'complementary to the edge contourof a flat key bow for receiving such key bow therein with the key shankextending outwardly of said one edge, the area of said matrix platesbeing substantially greater than the area of such key bow to provide asubstantial margin outwardly of the periphery of said cavity exceptadjacent to said one edge, the thickness of each said matrix plate beingsubstantially equal to one-half the thickness of such key bow, an earformed on an opposite edge of each said matrix plate from said one edgeand having an aperture therethrough for receiving a key ring or thelike, a pair of identical cover plates each overlying opposite sides ofsaid superposed pair of matrix plates including said cavities butexcepting said ears, the dimension between said edges of said matrixplates being less than the dimension between corresponding edges of saidcover plates providing a recess along said one edge of said matrixplates, means flush with said cover plates for securing said coverplates and said matrix plates together at said margin and one of whichmeans is adapted to extend through such key bow, a pair of identical,centrallyopen frames each overlying opposite sides of said cover platesand said ears and adapted to secure a pair of display plates betweensaid frames and said opposite sides of said cover plates, said framesbeing provided with peripheral flanges extending toward each other alongthe side edges of said matrix plates, integral projections on saidflanges, spaced from the main portion of said frames, and respectivelyextending into said recess, the distance between the portion of saidflanges adjacent said opposite edges and said projections beingsubstantially equal to said dimension between said corresponding edgesof said cover plates, the distance between the portion of said flangesadjacent the outer ends of said ears and the portion of said flangesadjacent said projections being substantially equal to the distancebetween the outer ends of said ears and said corresponding one edge ofsaid cover plates, and releasable means for securing said framestogether adjacent said ears whereby parting of said frames from saidcover plates is permitted only when said last-mentioned means isreleased and said ears are withdrawn laterally from the portion of saidflanges associated therewith.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

